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Public | | Entries: 126 (Private: 1) | Comments: 240 | | Start Date: Nov 04, 2008 | Last Update:
Nov 10, 2009
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| To apply or not to apply...that is the ultimate question | | While perusing the hospital RN positions relative close to home in KY I've found several I could apply for. My question though is should I apply now at the beginning of my third trimester or wait until peanut arrives. I know one can be hired pregnant and that they can't use that against you in the hiring process or even ask you. But if hired who the heck do you notify that "hey, I'm due in 2 1/2 months"? I'm going to post this question on the career forum also. My other problem is this last job of mine. Will I even get a freakin interview, I mean without an interview I can't explain to anyone that this termination was not due to anything I did, but lack of available positions.
Our decision to move back home was a hard one, but as my friends out here have said many times "being close to both of your parents with a new baby coming is a very good thing". Of course getting home with the few extra things we bought while here in NC won't be easy ie: washer/dryer. Got a very good price on used applicances and personally I think it would be silly to leave them when we are going to need them the very next place we get.
It's sad for me to have to move back home as I feel like I failed in my first attempt to work as an RN. I know that I made the right decision to transfer from a unit I was not progressing on, but I still feel like a failure. And now I get to compete for limited jobs with the Dec 2009 and MAy 2010 grads, not to mention all the grads like me who haven't really found anything yet.
On a very happy note. My Big Sis competed in Regional Special Olympics Bowling Tournement this past weekend. She got first place.....Again!!! Yeah, I'm bragging.....she kicked proverbial but  Now on to the State Tournement the first weekend of December, which she does not yet know I'll be able to see her at. | | Moving back home | | We've decided to move back to KY at the end of this month. I found a maternal-fetal medicine office in Louisville that will accept me 
I'll post more later, I'm at the library and it's about to close  | | It's Official....life really does suck | | I received a phone call from the manager of the unit I was attempting to transfer from yesterday. She will be entering in my termination today because of no positions available. I'll be eligible for rehire, but at the moment I'm officially unemployed. I have no idea what to do at this point as I'm 27 weeks as of yesterday. Should I start applying for jobs knowing I'll have to go on maternity leave at the end of January? We also need to decide on whether or not to give up on NC all together and move back to KY, but when is a good time...before or after the baby comes? Fortunately I was approved for medicaide for pregnant women so at least I have some form of health insurance and hubby was approved for food stamps. Now we just have to figure out what else to cut. I think the phone will go since it's $90 for phone, long distance and hig sped internet. Definately don't need the internet right now since my computer died two weeks ago. Unfortunately when I went to cancel it I was told I'd get a $99 early cancellation fee. Cable is $72 so we can definately cut back there, and honestly with enough blankets who needs to have the heat on? Our heat is Gas and this town has very high untility rates. This state has also screwed hubby on his car insurance. It would have been only $56/month if this state didn't require all licensed drivers to be on a policy whether they drive the vehicle or not. Because I had an accident in 2006 it jacked up his rate from $56 to $95. We also have storage bills to pay. I'm so discouraged right now I could scream. My mom thinks if we do come home, that we should do so before the baby gets here. I'm a bit weary of that simply because I don't know how easy it will be to find a high risk OB and exactly where the high risk mom's deliver in my mom's home county.
I am soooo trying not to stress as all that will so is stress peanut and raise my BP which amazingly has been perfect all this time. It was 120/80 yesterday and they loved it. I have 1+ protein right now, but it was worse 4 weeks ago when they discovered I was a wee bit dehydrated. Water has become a whole new food group for me right now LOL.
It's been really hard not to second guess myself accepting the job here in NC, moving down here, and even requesting a transfer off that unit once I realized I needed a regular floor to learn on. Heck I've even been doubting my decision to even become an RN in the first place. With yet another short job on my resume, even though it's not my fault, who in their right mind is going to even offer me an freakin interview? Also, I'm still considered a new grad. I graduated in May 2008....that isn't going to help either.
I know things could be a lot worse, A LOT worse. But right now things just feel really bad. Hubby says not to worry, but how can I not. I'm the main bread winner, his disability check doesn't stretch at all. I wish I could at least work agency like I was able when I was an LPN, but I now need 1 yr RN experience. I've had many people ask why I can't just work as an LPN....if only it was that simple and allowed.
Now that I'm sans computer I'll have to go to the library to check things online. Right now I'm trying to redo my resume and can't get the fonts to work right 
Things will get better.....it will take time....lots and LOTS of time. | | Hopeful | | Well, I might be getting another interview for peds rehab. They have a new manager and the retention manager thinks its worth a shot to try again, especially since the asst manager really was on my side. So I let the retention manager know I'm available every day next week for an interview, so let's hope she can get an interview arranged. I want another chance to show that I really am interested in rehab, that I did enjoy it the last time I worked it, and no I'm not just looking for the first available job.
Also, the manager of the floor I'm trying to transfer from is putting me on a LOA so my insurance can be maintained. How this will affect needing to go on leave when the baby comes I don't know.
I had things all worked out in my mind when I was about to graduate from school. I thought I'd get a position at Kosair Children's NICU or ED. I was ready to venture out of adult care and into what I really wanted to do...peds. That dream was crushed when I did get a NICU position, but not at Kosair's, and was told I wasn't learning fast enough. I thought ok, I can do peds med/surg, but then found I was locked out of the hospital system simply because of the way I was let go. Who would ever give an interview to someone who failed orientation? I guess I dreamed to big as many new grads are wont to do, so I resigned myself to the fact that I needed to stay in the areas that I had worked as an LPN. So when I finally got the job I am trying to transfer from, it was a unit similar to what I'd done before as an LPN albiet they had ventilator patients. I learned the hard way that LPN's and RN's really do do things differently. I was and still am having trouble thinking like an RN, the critical thinking and seeing the whole picture. I know I'll eventually get it, it will just take me longer than some I think. I just need a unit that will give me the time to do so. I also need to remember that just because I was an LPN for 13 years does not mean I know how to be an RN and need to remind my preceptors of that fact. Please treat me like a new grad RN, especially since there is a huge gap between when I graduated and when I actually started working. Its amazing how what one thought of what they'd be doing, what one dreamed of doing hits a large dose of reality and disappears at least temporarily. I've resigned myself to the fact that it will take years to get to the area I want to work in, is this bad...not really.
So things are hopeful this week. | | Something happy for a change.... | | The weather is getting cooler wheeee!!!! I so love cooler/cold weather. Summer to me means having to be swathed in skeeter repellant because them critters love me A LOT. Cooler weather also means we can turn the a/c off and therby lower that electric bill. Now the only drawback is all of my cool weather shirts/sweaters are in storage in KY lol.
Spudling is definately making himself/herself known lately. Lots of little and not so little flutters. I think my uterus is also doing the braxton hicks thing as things grow. Hubby says my belly is showing, I don't see it. My belly has lots of belly fat and doesn't look any different to me. I'm now 24 weeks so, I might be, but again since I'm not skinny I don't see my baby bump. I do feel it though when I'm laying down on my back in bed.
Now everyone says I should sleep on my side, easier said than done. I can start on my side, then my hips and back start to hurt, then I roll over to my other side. Then I hurt on that side and end up on my back....which my back hurts too.
I love this time of year, the weather is nice and you can actually enjoy sitting out on the porch. I'm really looking forward for the first frost since that will get rid of most if not all the flying/biting pests. Also....apple cider, need I say more :-) | | When it rains...... | | My hubby found out today that his auto insurance has been cancelled. We sent a payment a little late last month, and he got a letter today saying it's been cancelled. When he called to see about getting it reinstated he found out that it would have been cancelled anyway....they don't do business in NC. Apparently SafeAuto doens't go to very many states.
Fortunately, went online and he can get Progressive for a lot less than what he paid for SafeAuto.....a lot, lot less. Now we have to decide what won't get paid in October. We might be able to squeeze by, but right now I doubt it.
Mom says she is going to see what she can do on my health insurance issue, if only to buy time to see if the job situation changes before they want more money.
You know, what the heck did we do to the powers that be that gives us this kind of luck. I ended up arguing politely on an egroup I'm on saying the only people who are against universal health insurance of some kind are those that can 1) afford their insurance or 2) qualify for government assistance and are afraid they'll lose it. I'm in that happy group that can't afford it unless it's a group plan at work, but makes too much money to qualify for medicaid.....even though I haven't worked in 2 months. Of course as it stands right now, we probably couldn't afford the universal coverage either.
On another note. Hubby cooked a yummy baked chicken tonight with blackeyed peas. I'm thinking of cooking collard greens tomorrow, or red beans and rice. | | Another month gone | | Well, September is pretty much over and still no new position. I've been looking online for prn positions, but realized that I'm still a new grad....can't get those. If I was still an LPN I'd go to one of the healthcare staffing places and work PRN. I'm at a loss at what kind of part-time job I can try to get to at least help with the bills so we don't have to return the rental furniture we have. Though I think we will be doing that anyway, simply to save money. Still don't have enough money to drive back up to KY to get some of our stuff out of storage.
I've been told that they are still trying to find me something, but that perhaps the problem is the budget and that when the new fiscal year starts things might get better. I'm trying to keep hope up, but I also doubt it. I've begun to think there is something about me that screams don't hire. I've made mistakes on my resume as an LPN and can't do anything to change that, but it's still held against me. I answer all questions to the best of my ability and honestly. I guess managers want you to lie to them and say anything to get a job.
I'm also beginning to think I've made a huge mistake both going for and finishing my RN and moving to NC for a job. Hubby and mom don't think so, but I do. I know managers can be picky, but I'm not the worst employee in the world.....what is it really about me that makes me persona non grata? I do know that right now I'm not looking like a good canidate simply because I'll need to go on maternity leave most likely before I'm completly off orientation depending on the unit I get. Will anyone actually come out and say it, absolutely not. I've also decided not to take the second half of the sign on bonus simply because if things turn out and they don't find me a position, I won't owe them a whole lot of money. Same reason I won't be taking the relocation assistance to get my stuff from storage in AZ, I'm not owing them $4000.
I'm also about to lose my health insurance since I'm unable to pay my part of the premium which is $150 every 2 weeks or $300 a month. I have until October 9th to come up with the money for all my health benefits, mom is going to try to help.....but as I told her it would only help for one month. I don't qualify for medicaid because I'm still "technically" employed, nor can I apply for unemployment. Things are going to be tight for awhile, which is why I'm looking for jobs outside the medical field.
On the baby front, I'm beginning to feel spudlings fluttering. It's an interesting feeling :-) Saw the Dr. Thursday and spudling wasn't able to hide from the nurse this time when she was trying to find and measure the heartbeat. I go again in two weeks and take the glucose tolerance test....again. My blood sugar has been up a bit so, I'm now having to test it 4x daily. I think my blood pressure has been up, but they aren't to worried yet. My BP has been 130's/70's-80's which is higher than a normal pregnant woman, however it's my normal. The dr said they aren't going to start worrying until my top number approaches 140-150. They are being more aggressive with the blood sugar.
The next few weeks will be interesting as the flutters become full fledged kicks. Went to a clothing swap yesterday and picked up a few gently used baby clothes. Also have started a registry at Babies r' Us. Mom and at least one cousin want me to check out Wally World. Too me though merchandise from there is suspect especially since I'm on the lookout for wooden toys.
I've only got two things to be happy about right now, my hubby and my baby to be. I'm trying so very hard not to stress about the job situation as it really isn't good for me right now. | | Still nothing... | | Well, I called three times last week trying to find out if I will indeed be given a shot. I didn't received a call back until late Friday afternoon and I missed it. So, phone tag begins again tomorrow or Tuesday. I've already had the interview, just waiting to find out if this particular manager is indeed willing to give me a chance.
I'm beginning to wonder if I should go ahead and apply for unemployment since I haven't worked in a month now. I'm also wondering what I should do with my resume to update it incase the worse happens.
Trying very, very hard to stay hopeful. I also am trying hard not to stress. Pregnancy-wise my lower abdomen twinges ALOT and I can't tell if it's pressure on my bladder or my uterus stretching. I have however discovered what round ligament pain feels like. Next appt is on the 14th and I really hope I still have insurance at that time. | | A nibble... | | I found out today that one of the asst mangager's of the rehab unit is interested in giving me a chance. He won't be back in his office until Wed, so the retention manager won't be getting back to me about that until at least then. Reason I didn't hear anything sooner is that the retention manager was out sick this week and missed his call. So my weekend will be a bit better knowing that at least I have a shot at a job instead of people being worried about my past job history or thinking that no one is giving me a shot at a new unit because I'm pregnant. My MIL thinks this might be the case even though no one would dare actually say that out loud for legal reasons.
So I at least have a shot at a job on a unit that I've enjoyed working in the past, though this time it might be peds or spinal cord injury. I can't help but feel I have a lot to prove to myself if I indeed get offered this position. I've been wondering lately if I made a mistake going to school to become an RN if I'm having such a hard time breaking 13 years of LPN thinking.
Pregnancy-wise genetic counseling went well. We have no red flags to make anyone worry about spudling. Also my AFP was normal...wheeee. Spudling though decided not to cooperate at all during the level 2 ultrasound. Spud laid face down, curled the legs up and would not move LOL. They were unable to get half the measurements they wanted too. Oh well, I probably will be getting ultrasounds at the majority of my visits so they'll get them. My hubby though swears he saw little horns on the head of spudling during the ultrasound. I already knew I might be having a little devil  | | Interview continued.... | | Well the interview went well this morning. Now I wait to see if I get an offer. It's not a bad unit, pretty large. 1:6 nurse to patient ratio They have peds, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury rehab units as well as general rehab. I interviewed for both sides as there are two different managers for the specialty units and the general unit. One of the managers said that's it's not unusual to not click on one unit and to transfer to another, that's what she loves about the hospital.....you can move around to find your place. One problem now is all the new grads they hired, I'm probably not the only one trying to find a new place.
I just hope I get considered. Rehab isn't a bad place to work.
Update: I just checked my work email. I'm not being considered for any of the specialty rehab units, apparently I didn't show enough interest. |
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